Soldier's Orders: Core Values
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)
The Oath of Enlistment to the U.S. Army ends with the words, 'So help me God.' Core Values include:
Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.*
On Earth, Jesus was a perfect Soldier. His value as God’s Captain is OUR core. In a brilliant campaign of strategy, He beat our ‘Adversary, the devil’ (1 Peter 5:8)… and gave us, His soldiers, that same Power.
But in other crucial relationships, our C.O. simplified His Core Values… into Two Rules, summed up by one word: LOVE
Because 'Love never fails' (1 Corinthians 13:8), let’s consider:
Commandment #1: Love the Lord God with everything we've got: heart, mind, soul, and strength. For me, it’s not easy to remember, and it’s even harder to surrender… all that we are, have, hope, and do to God. But that’s what soldiers do– and so should we: 'Present your bodies a living sacrifice... which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind' (Romans 12:1-2).
When we mess up (which we will), we fess up, ask forgiveness, and try to do better.
Commandment #2: Tend to your neighbor's needs as if they’re yours. Got food, clothes, money, friends, health, and freedom? Then feed, dress, give, include, nurture, and go visit those who don't. Your neighbor is anyone in your path: 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me' (Matthew 25:40).
When we live well (which many of us do), we help our neighbors in need when we can.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
The business of arts and entertainment has a different set of core values. They include polish, professionalism, personality, and perseverance.
Can God's core values, army core values, and entertainment's core values… join hands? Yes! In proper order, they can and do. Therefore, learn them all and practice them all.
Soldier's Orders: Core Values (Part 10)
* Oath of Enlistment: http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/swearing-in-for-military-service.html
* Military Values: http://www.army.mil/values/
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.